Cape Verde among the countries with the highest rates of illegal residence in the US, according to American study
Cape Verde has one of the highest illegal stay rates in the US, with 25.7% of student visas and 12.8% of tourist visas overstaying. The report by the Center for Immigration Studies warns that the country could be included in future entry restrictions imposed by Washington, due to the high risk of overstay.
A report by the Center for Immigration Studies pointed out that Cape Verde has one of the highest overstay rates among foreign citizens who legally enter the United States on temporary visas, especially F, M and J visas (students, exchange students and academics). According to the report, 25.7% of Cape Verdeans with these types of visas overstayed in the US in 2023. For tourism and business (B) visas, the rate was 12.8%.
This data places Cape Verde above several countries that have already been included in the entry bans announced by former President Donald Trump in his 2025 proclamation, which is based, among other criteria, on overstay rates and national security risks. "Citizens of some countries pose significant risks of overstaying their visas, which burdens U.S. immigration and security authorities," Trump said in the document.
Although Cape Verde is not yet among the 19 countries with restricted entry, the report warns that the country is in the risk zone, being one of the 31 with rates higher than those of countries already sanctioned. Experts suggest that if the restriction policy is extended, Cape Verde could be included in future lists of partial or total suspension of entry.
The report reinforces the importance of cooperation agreements between sending countries and the United States for migration control, information sharing and the acceptance of deported citizens - factors also considered in the US government's risk assessment.
